Interview Sean Kennedy Good News in Oakland (Podcast)

Tonight I interviewed Sean Kennedy and Stephanie Geter on Blogtalkradio. It was inspiring to hear about all the positive things that are going on every day in Oakland, CA. Sean is the Executive Producer for Good News in Oakland. He is also highly recognized in the community in his role as Co-Chair of the City of Oakland Cultural Affairs Commission and for his innovative internet based TV network, “Good News In Oakland.”

You can check out Good News on Youtube or visit their Facebook page.

“The chips can be stacked against you but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it.” – Sean Kennedy

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Tags: allhiphop.com, EOYDC, Facebook, Good News in Oakland, Joe Hackman, Joesgonesocial, Pandora, Sean Kennedy
Posted in Inspiration, Interviews, Podcasts, community | View Comments

Interview Diane Rayfield Harp Social (Podcast)

Tonight I interviewed Diane Rayfield of Harp Social on Blogtalkradio. I invited Diane because I wanted to integrate more social media related guests into my podcast. Diane is the founder and CEO of Harp Social where she leads a team of social media, SEO and online marketing professionals to strategize, manage and evolve integrated online marketing for businesses. I met Diane at Amplify.com a social networking site that I have blogged about frequently. I always enjoy talking social media with people like Diane because I learn from them and the energy is upbeat and inspiring. Diane and I really covered a lot of ground during the interview, but her area of expertise is Strategy, Metrics and Inbound Marketing – “Getting Found”. Here are some highlight areas you can expect to learn more about if you listen to the entire episode:

1. Location Based Marketing (Yelp, Foursquare and Gowalla)
2. Monitoring/Metrics (Radian6, Google Alerts, Social Mention and Hootsuite)
3. Amplify.com
4. Facebook Pages
5. Video Marketing (Including Youtube)
6. Social Media Policies
7. LinkedIn (Including Answers, Groups)
8. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
9. Turning Point Autism Foundation

You can follow Diane on Twitter @dianerayfield or visit harpsocial.com to learn more about her company.

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Tags: Amplify.com, Diane Rayfield, Facebook, Harp Social, Joe Hackman, Joesgonesocial, LinkedIn, Turning Point Autism Foundation, Twitter
Posted in Amplify, Blogging, Facebook, Interviews, Podcasts, SEO, Social Media Strategy, Tools, Twitter, Wordpress | View Comments

The statistical importance of Social Media

I am not a statistician but I am guessing that I observed a fairly unusual statistical event today. While browsing my feed on Facebook to see what my friends have been up to I came across a couple of similar posts. Two of my friends from different “networks” in different states both posted that their kids were having a 10 year old birthday today the exact same minute, check it out (and I’ll get to the importance part near the end of this article):

Statistical Coincidence

So statisticians out there, am I exaggerating the significance of this or are these Lottery type odds? Here are some of the unique and similar aspects of the event:

1. These two friends are from completely different groups of people.
2. They are in different states.
3. Both of them have children turning 10 today.
4. They posted the news within the same minute.
5. I had 1,429 Facebook Friends at the time of the posting.

I’ve come to view the world as much smaller and the connections between people a lot closer. I really enjoy finding in particular that people from completely unrelated groups know each other. It also is really rewarding when I see unrelated friends become friends without an introduction, just by being mutual friends of mine. I know that lots of people bang the drums about social media being good and bad. If I make as few as one good friendship from it the rewards for that are long lasting and well worth the investment. Needless to say it has definitely been a good investment for me, in many ways. It is events like this that make me think about that, noticing something unique and uncommon. Speaking of unique and common, I have also learned things about friends via Social Media that I am not sure I ever would have IRL (In Real Life). It has definitely brought me closer to people who I was acquainted with.

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Tags: Facebook, Joe Hackman, Joesgonesocial, Online Communities, Relationships, Social Media, Social network, Statistics
Posted in Facebook, Lighter Side of Things | View Comments

Real time Matching YouhaveIwant

While browsing my Google Reader feed today I saw a post on Vator.tv about YouhaveIwant. This is a real time matching based startup out of New York. Co-founder Vik Panda recently presented at a Vator Splash event in San Francisco.

The product has some interesting highlights including:

• Persistent Search
• Short Messages
• Enhanced Privacy
• Location-based
• Real-Time Intelligent Matching

It was quite easy to access the site, I used my already logged in Facebook account to connect to the system. In the age of instant gratification I was not disapointed as I was able to post an item to test the interface within seconds of account creation. The site seems as though it will be very useful for people who have unwanted items to allow them to easily find people who need those items. While browsing the recent items I found a need/want that matched ironically right on top of one another in the feed:

Need a Microwave? Here is one. How convenient!

Once these two find each other as a match they can connect using the instant messenger in real time or click links to send an SMS message or call the other user. The privacy settings are well done, they allow you to specify when your phone link is available and mask your Email address by providing a nick name. Another interesting aspect of the “Browse” function is the tag based navigation that we’ve all grown to recognize, know and love:

Familiar Tag Cloud Navigation

Once you’re ready to post an item, you can take the simple approach where there is very intuitive suggestion text:

Simple Posting Interface

Or if you prefer, there are more advanced options including a link to an external URL, min/max price, Location and additional description:

Advanced Posting Interface

I find the concept of this site to be fairly brilliant, but how do they intend to make money? They intend to connect businesses that provide matching products with the people who want them for a fee. This is a very consumer friendly model and shows some promise. Overall I can think of a lot of reasons why the idea could succeed but it may largely weigh on my ideology rather than my business sense. I see this as a great opportunity to prevent waste by matching people who have “junk” with people who want that “junk”. It takes E-Bay, Craigs List and Free Cycle to new heights. I’ve got a practically brand new Seally Box Spring that I cannot find a home for. I am hoping that someone will take it off my hands, Free. If I succeed using YHIW I will update this post.

Access YouhaveIwant.com

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Tags: Facebook, Google Reader, Joe Hackman, Vator
Posted in Facebook, News, Technology, Tools | View Comments

2010 is a great year to start a business

I started to write a Facebook wall update earlier this week about starting a business:

“The economy may have faced challenges but it seems like a great time to start a business. I would encourage anyone who is out of work to consider pursuing your dreams, reach for the sky. There are so many great tools out there to use. If you need a nudge send me a note about your idea and I will try to….”

Then I realized that this was a great opportunity for a real article. So why is 2010 a great time to start a business? Let me share a few of my favorites:

1. People are receptive to new and creative ideas.
2. There are plenty of problems to solve.
3. The playing field can be levelled quickly via creativity and technology.
4. It’s easy and cheap to start a business.
5. If you’re already out of work, why not try?
6. Small businesses can respond more quickly to changes in an uncertain market.
7. You’re probably going to need to earn more money to live the same lifestyle.
8. It’s exciting and fun to be in business for yourself, your chance to shine.
9. You can get REALLY cheap labor, especially through September.
10. A business model that will work today should pay dividends for years to come.

The market for new Ideas

Lots of businesses and individuals have problems that are not being solved. They are feeling pain and that means there is opportunity. If you can find solutions to the things that are holding them back today you will have a long term customer. As these businesses improve they will feed your small business, it is possible to grow with a few choice customers for many years to come. It really doesn’t take a ton of clients. Find the pain points that you are passionate about solving. When all else fails find out what other people are saying can’t be done, and do that.

A level playing field with lots of tools

Technology is a great equalizer and it can be leveraged in almost any business. Any business can for example leverage the cheap and free web 2.0 and social media applications. With tools such as drop box you can share up to 2GB of files for free “on the cloud”. You can setup a voicemail and conference call number with drop.io for free also. With Skype you can talk to international prospects via video conference and shrink the world. With Amplify.com you can dive in, interact and share information with an astute audience. Using Facebook you can keep your family, business and friends informed about your new venture. There is really an app for just about everything these days, and most of them are free! Being creative and experimental you will find what works and does not work for you, don’t be afraid. These are days that favor the bold and creative. You don’t even need much to get started, any individual can “do business as” themselves and work out of their home, car, Starbuck’s, Peet’s and Panera Bread. Always remember the bigger your competition the slower they will be to respond and adjust, you on the other hand can be nimble and quick.

“You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”  ~Walt Disney

Employment Challenged

Depending on where you live un-employment is at historically high rates right now. That’s a fact but not an excuse to sit idly and not do something about it. There are huge benefits to adversity, most people would never see their potential without it. I am actually one of those people, I have set and achieved much higher expectations for myself based on the innevitable bumps and bruises that life has brought me. So ask yourself this. Would you let your current adversity go to waste or would you prefer to improve your life right now? In the future you can look back at these days and think how valuable they were to your personal and professional development. Or you can just continue to feel how you feel right now and wait for something to change. It is wonderful that we have the choice, there is only one decision that makes sense to me.

Incentives to Hire

Do you know that if you started a business today you could hire eligible employees and get 80% of their salary and payroll taxes paid through the end of September 2010? Not to mention the people you hire would be extremely grateful to join the realm of the employed. This opportunity seems to be one of the greatest hidden secrets of 2010 but it is part of the ARRA and it is conceivable that the benefit could be extended beyond the current expiration date. Check out this article I wrote on this very subject.

It boils down to choice

There are plenty of what are now probably obvious reasons why 2010 is an exceptional year to start a business. What about some of the less obvious ones? It is inevitable that more challenges will face us all in the future. There is a mounting debt to pay off, risks of inflation, and higher taxes to name a few. For that reason there has never been a better time to elevate your earning potential where you are firmly in the driver seat. Whatever you could live comfortably on in the past is probably not going to be enough in the future. This reminds me of a quote by Warren Buffet (From Facebook) in August 2009:

“The people that behaved well are no doubt going to find themselves taking care of the people who didn’t behave well…” ~Warren Buffet

So we all have a choice, we can be a part of the problem or part of the solution. As an entrepreneur you have the opportunity for an exciting, challenging ride. Believe in yourself, work hard and you will live your dreams. Expect challenges and setbacks, use them to make yourself stronger. If you ever need an extra nudge find mentors in your family, friends and business associates that you can get a nudge in the right direction. Social media is a great place to find the smiling optimists, it soon becomes evident who among your friends and peers are those tireless cheerleaders. If you lack that structure you can always respond to “I need your help, tell me how I can help you“.

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Tags: Amplify.com, Facebook, guerrilla marketing, Joe Hackman, Joesgonesocial, Panera Bread, Small business, Social Media, Social Media Marketing
Posted in Amplify, Facebook, Inspiration, Jobs, Leadership, SF Startup Business Examiner | View Comments

New Thank a Soldier Video Release

The Thank a Soldier cause on Facebook released a new video this morning. For those of you who are not familiar with this group they solicit the community for videos and images showing support for our troops then compile them into Youtube videos. The result is some really great videos that are intended to lift the spirits of our troops.

Here is another example of one of their “Gratitude Project” videos:

Check out their Youtube Channel for more similar videos.

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Tags: Facebook, Joe Hackman, Joesgonesocial, Veterans, Youtube
Posted in Inspiration, Veterans, Video, community | View Comments

New Vision of Charitable Groups on Facebook

Tonight I launched on a whim a Charity “Community” page on Facebook. I sought and failed to find a top level organization where all charitable/philanthropic groups could go to promote their organizations, seek support and share ideas. That group now exists and if the need is actually there the page should do really well.

Please join us and become a fan!

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Tags: community, Facebook, Joe Hackman, Joesgonesocial, Social Media
Posted in Facebook, Inspiration, News, community | View Comments

Vastly improved Facebook Page Manage UI

Facebook rolled out community page support today for at least some of their users. The shortcut to access the page management is:

http://facebook.com/pages/manage

Once you are on that page click “create page” then you will see the new UI:

This may be the first step towards creating an internal “causes” type infrastructure. It could be that Causes has opened Facebook’s eyes to another revenue stream and they may be poised to pursue it. Alternatively it could just be to provide people who want a different kind of Fan Page. Or perhaps it’s just a delicious April fools joke. Any predictions?

Here is a quick video walk through of the new feature:

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Tags: April Fools' Day, Facebook, Joe Hackman, Joesgonesocial
Posted in Facebook, News, Video | View Comments

Quick Video – claiming a vanity url or username on Facebook

I thought a quick tutorial on claiming a user name/vanity URL would be useful to have on my Youtube channel so I recorded this today. The super fast text version is access this url: http://facebook.com/username

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Tags: Facebook, Joe Hackman, Joesgonesocial, screencast
Posted in Facebook, Video | View Comments

Resources for Amplify.com Users

This is for my growing group of friends at Amplify.com or anyone curious to check out a fast growing and innovative social networking site. Many great ideas have come up and we’ve had some amazing discussions as a result. For the people who are just joining us, here are a few things that are available to make the experience better:

Twitter

Joe’s Amplify List on Listorious – if you’re not on the list @hackmanj on Twitter, comment on this post, or use the recommend someone on Listorious. Here is the original post that started the ball rolling on this, thanks to @socialsprouts if you see anyone that is not representing good netiquette that is on this list, please let me know so I can either warn or remove them.

LinkedIn

It would be great if more of our fellow Amplify.com users joined us via the LinkedIn group.

Podcasts

Amplify’s CEO Eric Goldstein was gracious enough to be interviewed on my podcast 3 times since I joined. We have also recently setup a monthly feature where the community meet monthly for a podcast with Eric. These episodes will be the third Thursday of every month at 2PM Pacific/5PM Eastern time.

1. A good introduction to Amplify – aired 1/27/2010
2. An introduction to the 3/3/2010 changes to Amplify.com – aired 3/3/2010
3. Eric Goldstein CEO of Amplify.com and the Amplify Community – aired 4/21/2010
4. Scheduled monthly chat 6/7/2010 on Blog Talk Radio
5. Eric Goldsten and Louis Gray on the Mobile App and Amplify.com – aired 6/16/2010
6. Eric Goldstein and the Amplify Community on Email Posting – aired 7/22/2010
7. Scheduled community chat w/ Eric Goldstein 8/16/2010

Youtube Videos

The night I started using Amplify it was an instant hit with me so I created a screencast and blog article about the site. Here is the playlist I have assembled of the amplify.com related videos on Youtube.

Articles

I need some help with this list, I know several people have done some nice write-ups and would like to add them all to this post.

1. Here is the Amplify category on this blog.
2. Diane Rayfield did a fantastic “Feature” article on Amplify
3. Check out this great description of Amplify.com by Maggie Greyson
4. Great post by Paul Simbeck-Hampson “Sparking Conversation Naturally“
5. A fantastic post in response to a question by Louis Gray about Amplify.com’
6. A nice article about How to Create an Effective Amplify Page by Eric Miltsch.
7. New 8/11/2010 – Power tip by Svartling on using the news feed.
8. New 8/11/2010 – How to use Amplify for your Social Network by Russ Jackson.
9. A an example of using Amplify.com for Crowd Sourcing by Paul Simbeck-Hampson.

Not on Amplify?

Join us, it is a thriving and exciting community that operates on a extremely useful and feature rich social networking platform. I’ve met some incredibly intelligent and passionate people on the site and you will too. If you do join, be sure to send me a note so I can make sure to add you to the Twitter list, etc. Here is the link to my Amplog.

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Tags: Amplify, Amplify.com, Facebook, Joe Hackman, Joesgonesocial, LinkedIn, Social network service, Twitter
Posted in Amplify, Technology, Tools | View Comments